Major law firms, gambling ventures, and tobacco companies, all entities that could have legal business before Virginia after the elections, cut large checks to Virginia Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones, campaign finance records show.
These contributions to Jones’s campaign were made before news broke about text conversations in which Jones fantasized about shooting a Republican colleague and suggested that his children should die as well. Since the revelations about his text messages, Jones has been accused of claiming that killing police officers could have positive effects and misrepresenting political work as community service to avoid jail time.
Faced with these controversies, none of the dozens of companies that donated to Jones’s campaign explicitly denounced him or offered a statement of regret regarding their contribution when reached by the Washington Examiner.
Among Jones’s biggest corporate sponsors were Altria, Philip Morris International, Reynolds American, and Swedish Match — giants in the tobacco and smokeless nicotine industry. The firms, which own well-known brands such as Newport, Camel, American Spirit, Marlboro, and Zyn, collectively donated $90,000 to Jones’s campaign.
However, none of them responded to a request for comment.
The reluctance among tobacco giants to spite Jones could be borne out of the fact that attorneys general have historically used their power to pursue costly litigation against the companies, advancing claims that they misled the public about the health risks of their products. Such cases have resulted in settlements costing Altria, Philip Morris International, Reynolds American, and Swedish Match billions of dollars collectively.
Sustained support for Jones, from the perspective of big tobacco corporations, could mitigate the risk of costly legal investigations originating from his office if elected.
Gambling ventures, part of another industry regularly scrutinized by attorneys general, may be engaged in a similar calculus. Altogether, the Boyd-Pamunkey Casino Political Action Committee, online sports betting giant PrizePicks, and skill-based gambling game developer Pace-O-Matic donated $35,000 to support Jones’s campaign. None has released statements retracting their support.
Law firms have perhaps the most straightforward incentive for endearing themselves to prospective attorneys general. Indeed, the Washington Examiner‘s review of campaign finance records found that law firms and their leaders gave roughly $85,000 to Jones across cash and in-kind donations. None has issued statements expressing regret over their contribution to his campaign.
Among the law firms that cut checks to Jones were McGuireWoods, Cooper Hurley, and the Miller Firm.
Genworth Financial, a publicly traded financial services firm that controls $87.3 billion in assets, declined to rebuke Jones, instead issuing a blanket condemnation of political violence.
“Genworth contributes to candidates from both parties who are engaged in issues that impact the communities we serve,” a spokesman for the company told the Washington Examiner. “We do not condone political violence or rhetoric that suggests it in any form.”
Genworth’s statement was similar to that of former Democratic Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for Virginia governor, who faced criticism after saying she feels “disgust” toward Jones’s comments but declining to revoke her endorsement.
Genworth, between the company itself and its CEO, donated $30,000 to support Jones’s bid for attorney general.
All told, the Washington Examiner‘s review of Virginia campaign finance records revealed over $350,000 worth of donations from businesses large and small.
The reluctance of certain business interests to retract support for Jones is hardly unprecedented. For instance, Giffords PAC, a pro-gun control committee founded by former Democratic Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords after she was shot at a campaign event, has not retracted its endorsement of Jones.
Additionally, top Democrats across Virginia have criticized Jones for his text messages, but stopped short of calling for him to drop out of the race. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), for instance, conceded that Jones’s comments were “completely indefensible,” but answered “I do” when asked if he still supported his candidacy.
Just as there is precedent for donors and supporters refusing to abandon Jones, some have taken steps to distance themselves from the attorney general hopeful.
Everytown for Gun Safety and the Brady Campaign, two other pro-gun control groups, have deleted their endorsements of Jones. However, both stopped short of issuing statements condemning him or asking for their large donations to be returned.
VIRGINIA AG CANDIDATE JAY JONES WENT ON PODCASTS AND ATE MUFFINS TO AVOID JAIL TIME
Other donors to Jones have faced scrutiny in the press over their continued support for Jones’s campaign.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), for instance, donated $25,000 to Jones in August and is standing by him despite the controversies.
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, Washington Examiner, %%https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon.png?w=32, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Robert Schmad
